9 MYTHS ABOUT BIRTH CONTROL-BUSTED

Oral contraception pills are one of the most convenient and safe ways of unplanned birth control. It gives women a chance to exercise the right over their own body and is an integral part of our general sexual and reproductive health.
At the same time, because of the amount of stigma that is attached with birth control and reproduction, there is a whole range of misconceptions which often actually end up leading to serious complications

1. You don’t need a pill if he withdraws before climax
This is perhaps the most dangerous and detrimental myths about birth control. Even though our basic biology knowledge dictates that the ejaculate releases the sperm which leads to fertilisation, in reality there is always a small amount of ejaculate that is secreted during intercourse which can be enough to cause a pregnancy.

2. You gain weight from oral contraceptives
You hear this one pretty often- that being on the pill makes you fat. IT stems from the fact that the pill affects your metabolism and hunger levels till a certain extent. However, you will only gain weight if you eat more than you need to because of your hormones whetting your appetite. The pill however, doesn’t directly cause a gain in weight.

3. Being on the pill for too long affects your fertility
There is little or no foundation for the claim that being on the pill affects your ability to get pregnant. It is so utterly false that you are very likely to get pregnant as soon as you stop the pill.

4. The pill has to be taken by the clock
Older progesterone pills did have to be taken at the same time every day, however most common birth control pills now do not have such rules. However, it is actually good to get into a proper habit about when you’re taking the pill; it lessens the chances of you missing it.

5. It's a good idea to take a break in your birth control
This is an extension of the myth that birth control affects reproductive health. However, since it most certainly doesn’t, the breaks don’t make much of a difference in the possibility of pregnancy.

6. You can't get pregnant if you have sex during your period
This is an extension of the myth that birth control affects reproductive health. However, since it most certainly doesn’t, the breaks don’t make much of a difference in the possibility of pregnancy.

7. Two condoms is an alternative for the pills
Pills cannot replace Condoms, which are 98% effective, but doubling up doesn't double your odds. In actual fact, the two condoms will rub together and are actually more likely to split than a single condom.

8. The pill or IUD is enough as birth control
The pill and the IUD is essential as contraception. However, neither play a role in controlling sexually transmitted infection. So, if you have the possibility of catching an STD (if your partner is not tested) you should never forgo a condom. And always get STI tests done.

9. When you are breast feeding, you won’t get pregnant.
When women are in the breast feeding stage, it is commonly believed that they cannot get pregnant. While breastfeeding does tend to delay ovulation, it isn’t a hard and fast rule you should be betting on.